Iran, Pakistan to hold joint naval drills

TEHRAN: The warships of Iran and Pakistan Navies will hold joint exercises near southern Iranian waters, reports foreign media. 

According to Iran’s First Naval Zone Commander Admiral Hossein Azad, the Pakistani flotilla comprising warships Tippu Sultan and PNS Jurrat and a chopper on Wednesday left the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas for the east of the Hormuz Strait where the drills will be held. The Iran Navy’s Jamaran Destroyer and a missile-launching frigate and a helicopter would join the Pakistani fleet, he said, adding that some 800 personnel from both countries would participate in the drills. The Pakistani flotilla berthed at Bandar Abbas on Sunday and was officially received by Iranian officers.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Admiral Azad said the visit was in line with efforts to boost security cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad.  The Pakistani fleet commander said the visit carried a message of peace and brotherly relations  between Iran and Pakistan and sought to strengthen naval relations between the two nations.